Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton Sign WrestleMania Contract, Orton Turns Heel

The road to WrestleMania 42 took a dramatic turn on WWE SmackDown as the two former friends signed their contract, leading to a shocking attack.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 3:20am

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Tonight's episode of WWE SmackDown featured the highly anticipated contract signing between Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton for their WWE Championship match at WrestleMania 42. The segment started cordially, with Rhodes praising Orton, but took a dark turn when Orton suddenly snapped and brutally attacked his former friend, leaving him bloodied. This shocking turn of events has set the stage for a heated showdown between the two at the Showcase of the Immortals.

Why it matters

The Rhodes-Orton rivalry has been one of the most compelling storylines in WWE leading up to WrestleMania. Their history as former friends and tag team partners has added an extra layer of drama to their feud. Orton's surprise heel turn sets up an intense personal battle between the two, raising the stakes for their championship match at the biggest event of the year.

The details

During the contract signing, Rhodes put Orton over and convinced him to sign the contract. However, once Orton put pen to paper, he suddenly attacked Rhodes, leaving him bloodied in the ring. Jelly Roll tried to calm Orton down, but was also pushed away. Orton later returned and struck Rhodes with a steel chair, cementing his turn to the dark side.

  • The contract signing took place on the March 13, 2026 episode of WWE SmackDown in Phoenix, Arizona.
  • Orton's attack on Rhodes occurred immediately following the contract signing.

The players

Cody Rhodes

A third-generation wrestler and one of the top stars in WWE, Rhodes is challenging Orton for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42.

Randy Orton

A 14-time WWE Champion known as "The Viper," Orton turned heel during the contract signing, brutally attacking his former friend Rhodes.

Jelly Roll

A country music artist who tried to calm Orton down after his attack on Rhodes, but was also pushed away.

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What they’re saying

“This was supposed to be McIntyre's match, not yours.”

— Randy Orton

“After WrestleMania, you'll be my bitch.”

— Rhea Ripley

What’s next

Next week on SmackDown, Drew McIntyre will face off against Jacob Fatu, as ordered by WWE official Nick Aldis.

The takeaway

Orton's shocking turn has added a new level of intensity to his WrestleMania match with Rhodes, making it one of the must-see events of the year. The personal history between the two former friends will undoubtedly fuel an epic battle for the WWE Championship.